Which place is cheaper, Dali or Can Tho?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Jump to 
Should you visit Can Tho or Dali?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Can Tho and Dali can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Can Tho or Dali?
Can Tho
Can Tho is the largest city of Vietnam's Mekong Delta, and is best known for its canal network of floating markets, restaurants, bars, and hotels, Buddhist pagodas, and the beauty of the delta, which is illuminated in the evenings.
Dali
Dali is a city in southern China with a long and glorious history dating back to the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644). The Xiaguan neighborhood of the city is the modern industrial center where most public transportation arrives; however, the Old Town of Dali is the place that draws the most visitors. Being one of China's ancient cities, Dali is said to have been a gateway to the Silk Road, and still attracts attention with its traditional architecture, beautiful scenery, ethnic cultures, and nightlife.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Ho Chi Minh City, The Best 10-Day Tours from Hanoi, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in China, and The Best Adventure Tours to China.
-
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayCan Tho $58Dali $49
The average daily cost (per person) in Can Tho is $58, while the average daily cost in Dali is $49. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Can Tho and Dali in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personCan Tho $28Dali $17
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomCan Tho $56Dali $34
Compare Hotels in Can Tho and Dali
Looking for a hotel in Can Tho or Dali? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.
Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.
Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Can Tho Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Can Tho $13Dali $9.45
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Can Tho
Also for Can Tho, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer: Can Tho Airport to/from Can Tho City Center: $37
- Private Transfer: Can Tho Airport - Can Tho City Center: $35
- Private Transfer from Vinh Long to Tan Son Nhat (SGN) Airport: $109
- Private Transfer from Thanh Thoi to Tan Son Nhat (SGN) Airport: $109
- Private Transfer from Can Tho City to Tan Son Nhat (SGN) Airport: $115
- Private Transfer from Can Tho City to Can Tho (VCA) Airport: $48
- Private Transfer from Can Tho (VCA) Airport to Can Tho City: $126
- PRIVATE CAR: Can Tho AIRPORT <=> CanTho Hotels (one way transfer): $30
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Dali
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Dali:
-
Local Bus$0.43
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Dali
Also for Dali, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer from Dali to Lijiang/Shuhe hotel and Stops at Shaxi Old Town: $160
- Private Transfer from Dali to Lijiang/Shuhe hotel: $149
- Dali Airport Chauffeur Service,Dali Airport Transfer: $40
Is it cheaper to fly into Can Tho or Dali?
Prices for flights to both Dali and Can Tho change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.
Food
-
Food Meals for one dayCan Tho $17Dali $18
Typical Food Prices in Can Tho
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Can Tho:
-
Restaurant Dinner (for Two)$5.28
-
Coconut$0.28
-
Mango$1.10
-
Hot Pot Dinner (for Two)$7.07
-
Two Vietnamese Iced Coffees$0.65
-
Casual Lunch (for One)$2.84
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Can Tho
For Can Tho, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Boat tour on Mekong river see the sunset, small canal, Vegan dinner, street food: $29
- Biking and Cooking Class in Can Tho Rural: $32
- Local Food Tour: $33
- Explore Can Tho City tour combine Local Food tour - in afternoon: $35
- Biking and cooking class in the rural tour at Can Tho: $36
- Can Tho food tour designed by local chef: $38
- Street food tour back of the bike in Can Tho: $39
- Eco Cooking Class and Market Tour: $47
- Walking street food tour designed by local chef: $48
- Discover Local Cuisine: Walking Food Tour in Can Tho: $49
- Mekong Delta Cooking Class with Lunch: $69
- Can Tho Cooking Class - Motorbike trip in the countryside: $69
Typical Food Prices in Dali
For Dali, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
-
Lunch$4.54
-
Breakfast$3.55
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Can Tho $17Dali $18
Typical Entertainment Prices in Can Tho
For Can Tho, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
-
Sunset Boat Ride$2.03
-
Half Day Floating Market Tour$8.53
Tours and Activities in Can Tho
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Can Tho.
- 'Cai Rang' Floating Market 2-Day Tour With Biking & Boating: $155
- 1 day-Tra Su cajuput forest tour pick up from Chau Doc or Can Tho: $155
- 3-DAY CA MAU CAPE TOUR IN MEKONG DELTA FROM SAI GON: $166
- A unique tour of the floating market includes a cacao plantation.: $39
- Bicycle Tour Through Peaceful Villages: $35
- Boat tour visit 3 pagodas, Ancient house, see sunset on mekong river: $59
- CASA Authentic Bicycle Tour: $89
- CASA Authentic Mekong Motorbike Tour: $89
- Cai Rang Famous Floating Market in Can Tho - Private tour: $176
- Cai Rang Floating Market - My Tho & Ben Tre - VIP Private Tour: $135
- Cai Rang Floating Market Tour: $42
- Cai Rang Floating Market Tour -Amazing Can Tho : $72
Tours and Activities in Dali
For Dali, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- 1-Day Dali tour with the Daili old town, Xizhou Village and Three Pagodas: $195
- 1-Day Erhai Sightseeing in Dali: $129
- 1-Day Tie Dye Experience Tour in Dali: $160
- 2-Days Self-Guided tour from Dali to Lijiang and overnight in Shaxi old town: $205
- All Inclusive Private Day Tour to Shaxi Ancient Town from Dali: $213
- All inclusive Dali Erhai cruise three pagoda xizhou market: $210
- Dali Private Tour to Xizhou Ancient Town and Erhai Lake : $186
- Dali Yunnan Local Market + Pottery Making Eco Tour: $220
- Private Customized Tour: Dali City Highlights in One Day: $213
- Private Day Tour of Dali Explore the Ancient City: $274
- Private Day Tour: Erhai Lake, Three Pagodas, Dali Ancient Town: $217
- Private hiking tour to Cangshan Mountain from Dali: $175
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayCan Tho $6.71Dali $11
Typical Alcohol Prices in Can Tho
Here are a few samples of the prices for alcohol and nightlife in Can Tho from other travelers:
-
Beer$3.25
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Can Tho and Dali, we can see that Can Tho is more expensive. And not only is Dali much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Dali would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Dali and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Can Tho would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Can Tho than you might in Dali.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Can Tho Expensive? and Is Dali Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Can Tho or Dali?
Can Tho has a larger population, and is about 94% larger than the population of Dali. When comparing the sizes of Can Tho and Dali, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.